The orchestra’s annual winter concert, which took place last Wednesday, centered around “music from around the world, different time periods, winter time and holiday spirit” according to orchestra teacher and concert organizer Catherine Prosser.
Senior and second chair Hannah Perlman said that the orchestra, which performed a number of works including “The Snowman,” has become a more unified ensemble.
“It’s challenging to stay lined up with a score, so it takes a lot of focus and cohesiveness,” Perlman said.
The orchestra performed in sync with a movie projected onto the stage. “This was our first year that we played along with a film,” Perlman said.
“When we combined with the band and the piano,” Perlman added, “it introduced a whole new atmosphere to the orchestra and was nice to be exposed to different tones while you’re playing.”
The main focus, according to junior Francesca Vergara, is “making the music come alive as best as we can.”
According to Prosser, this year’s orchestra started preparing right after the fall concert on Oct. 27 was over.
In preparation the orchestra has “been practicing at home, doing sectionals, listening to our conductor and listening to the pieces online to familiarize ourselves with the music we are playing,” Vergara said.
The instruments featured at the concert included the piano, violin, viola, cello, bass and trombone.
Similar to last year, all orchestra members were required to spend time after school practicing for the concert.
The Philharmonic Orchestra performed “Eine Kliene Nachtmusik” by Mozart while the Symphonic Orchestra performed “Iditarod” by Soon Hee Newbold.
Both the Symphonic and Concert Orchestras combined performed “Tales of the Kojiki” by Keiko Yamamda and Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto No. 3.”
The Philharmonic Orchestra was joined by members of the Symphonic Winds and Statesman Singers for “The Snowman” by Howard Blake.